Saturn Run by John Sandford

The year is 2066. A Caltech intern inadvertently notices an anomaly from a space telescope—something is approaching Saturn, and decelerating. Space objects don’t decelerate. Spaceships do.

A flurry of top-level government meetings produces the inescapable conclusion: Whatever built that ship is at least one hundred years ahead in hard and soft technology, and whoever can get their hands on it exclusively and bring it back will have an advantage so large, no other nation can compete. A conclusion the Chinese definitely agree with when they find out.

The race is on, and an remarkable adventure begins—an epic tale of courage, treachery, resourcefulness, secrets, surprises, and astonishing human and technological discovery, as the members of a hastily thrown-together crew find their strength and wits tested against adversaries both of this earth and beyond. What happens is nothing like you expect—and everything you could want from one of the world’s greatest masters of suspense.

What a great book! Saturn Run is an adult science fiction thriller that I found engrossing and exciting from beginning to the very last page. It’s quite a ride, that’s for sure.

The year is 2066 and the human race is about to be gobsmacked, because a huge alien spaceship have arrived. Well, technically it’s parked out by Saturn doing who knows what, but one thing is certain, every country wants that technology. It becomes a race between China and the United States to get there first, and it gets intense.

Sandford wove a fantastic story with anticipation coming from all sides and a good mix of wit and humor. Seriously, so much happens! From the race to get the ships ready, to the race to get to Saturn, to what they find, to … well, that’s as far as I’ll go, because that’s the fun part of wondering what the hell will happen next. It all sounds so simple, but there’s a lot going on that had me on the edge of my seat. It truly is a thriller.

This cast of characters rock! They’re all fleshed out really well and had such distinct personalities. I definitely grew attached to them, while some were quite the surprise. I loved getting to know all of them and seeing how their roles would play out. I usually go on and on about the characters, but it’s such an incredible collective, that I feel like I’d be at it all day.

I really like how this is futuristic, yet it isn’t outlandishly so. The world is still very familiar, giving it a realistic feel. That’s a big reason why I was so anxious about what they would discover once they reached Saturn. I was dying to know! And I love science, so I find it interesting when it starts to get technical. I like to know how things work and what the author came up with to put their ideas in motion, especially with something like this. It does get a little labored a couple times in the beginning, but really, any good science fiction tends to do that.

Saturn Run was definitely an experience. I felt like I was on the journey with them and didn’t want it to end, even though I was going crazy with wanting to know what would happen next. It’s a book I got so engrossed in, that it felt weird when it was all over, like my head had to adjust to being back in this world. So yeah, the author did his job of really transporting me there.

I honestly don’t know what exactly it was that made me want to read Saturn Run, but I’m glad I did! So good! I’m already stalking Sandford’s other books.

I just had to include this quote that made me smile, because I think we all know someone like John …

“John, I didn’t actually want to throw this out there before I heard your opinions, … The President would like you to join the crew on the Saturn run.”

34 responses to “Saturn Run by John Sandford”

I didn’t have the best experience with the John Sanford books I tried (though I am in the minority and I know it) but this sounds interesting. I like that it is in the future but still familiar. Great review!

I think it’s awesome that you picked this one up!! WAAAAAAAY out of your norm! Were you in the mood after The Martian? Great review, girl!! Don’t take this the wrong way but I’m going to recommend this to my Dad. I grew up on my parents being HUGE sci-fi fans and I think he would LOVE this. It might get him back in love with reading 🙂

This is the kind of sci-fi I would really like Christy! I like when it’s believable and the world isn’t so crazy that I can’t imagine it ever happening, so I’m glad you didn’t feel this future was outlandish. Thanks for the recommendation!!!

Oooh Saturn Run sounds like the best kind of sci-fi thriller to read as an audiobook. I have really enjoyed these types of books in audio format 🙂 I wouldn’t have noticed this book without your review so thanks Christy! You are awesome!

“Who’d take care of my cat?” Yeah, that’d probably be the first thing I said. 😀 I’ve had my eye on this book so I’m glad to hear it’s good. I like that the future is somewhat familiar; there need to be some changes for it to be believable but too many changes and I feel lost. I’ll have to see if my library has it.

This sounds incredibly Christy and this is one that my hubby would probably enjoy even more. I love books that throw the reader right into the midst of the action and the characters all sound incredibly developed and layered too. Awesome review, definitely grabbing a copy too <3

P.S. Really love the new look, the purple is a lovely touch and really pops.

I haven’t heard of this one before, but it sounds like a fun one with the race between the US and China to reach that ship first. I am curious what that ship is doing there and why. lol at the quote about the cat, that’s so sweet that’s his first tought! I like the sci-fi books that are a bit further in the future, but I also like those that are far enough in the future to be different, but still similiar as well. Great Review!

The cover is so old-school that I love it! You can’t tell me about this race between China and the USA and other nations towards an alien technology and not have me salivating over it! IT’s like the race to the moon all over again. I am SO getting this baby!